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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Current knowledge on the effects of environmental contaminants in early life nutrition
ClearMicro problems with macro consequences: accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and microplastics in human breast milk and in human milk substitutes
This review examines the presence of persistent organic pollutants and microplastics in both human breast milk and infant formula, raising questions about early-life exposure. Researchers found that these contaminants can transfer to infants during the critical first 1,000 days of development, a period important for long-term health. The study highlights significant gaps in our understanding of how combined exposure to microplastics and organic pollutants during infancy may affect health outcomes.
Micro problems with Macro Consequences: Accumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and in Human Milk Substitutes
This review examines the co-occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and microplastics in human breast milk and infant formula, highlighting that infants — one of the most vulnerable populations — may be exposed to both chemical and particle-based contaminants through feeding. The authors stress that the health effects of microplastic ingestion in early life remain largely unknown, making this a critical gap in understanding long-term developmental risks.
Microplastics and child health: A scoping review of prenatal and early-life exposure routes and potential health risks
This scoping review examined how microplastics reach children through prenatal and early-life exposure routes, including placental transfer, breast milk, formula, and feeding bottles. The evidence indicates that microplastic exposure begins before birth and continues through infancy via multiple pathways, raising concerns about potential developmental health effects during these particularly vulnerable life stages.
Breastfeeding in a Polluted World: Perspective on the Properties of Breast Milk and the Need for Protection
This review examines the composition and protective properties of breast milk as a biological fluid evolved to support infant health, while raising concern about the growing detection of environmental contaminants including microplastics and endocrine disruptors in breast milk.
Hidden Threats in Infant Diets and Environment ‒ Risks of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Food
This review examines how infants aged 0-12 months are exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics through inhalation and ingestion, with plastic packaging and food preparation being major dietary sources. Researchers found that these particles can cross biological barriers, leading to systemic exposure that may affect infant development. The study calls for more comprehensive research to understand the long-term health implications of plastic particle contamination in infant diets.
The Overview of the Possible Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
This review examines the various ways infants can be exposed to microplastics, including through breast milk, formula, baby food, plastic bottles, and toys. Researchers note that infants may be especially vulnerable because their metabolic and immune systems are still developing, potentially making them less able to process or eliminate these particles. The study calls for more research into infant-specific exposure levels and health effects, as current data remains limited.
Human Milk—The Biofluid That Nourishes Infants from the First Day of Life
This review highlights that human breast milk, while being the ideal nutrition for infants, is now subject to contamination by environmental pollutants including microplastics. The presence of microplastics in breast milk means that infants may be exposed to plastic particles from the very first days of life. The authors call for new monitoring methods to better understand the extent of contamination and its potential effects on infant development.
Nano- and Microplastics Migration from Plastic Food Packaging into Dairy Products: Impact on Nutrient Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism
This review examines how nano and microplastics migrate from plastic food packaging into dairy products like milk and infant formula. The plastic particles can interfere with how the body digests and absorbs proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and may disrupt metabolism of lipids, glucose, and iron. These findings are especially concerning for infants and children who consume formula and milk from plastic containers, as their developing bodies may be more sensitive to these effects.
Microplastic Exposure to Infants
This review summarizes current evidence on microplastic exposure in infants, covering detection in feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. The authors highlight that infants may face greater health risks from microplastic exposure than adults due to immature metabolic systems and higher sensitivity.
Marine Microplastics and Infant Health
This review examines the accumulation of marine microplastics and their potential implications for infant health, a uniquely vulnerable population. The authors discuss exposure pathways including breast milk and formula and highlight the need for targeted research on developmental health effects given the limited body of evidence in young children and infants.
Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
This study examines the routes through which infants may be exposed to microplastics, including through infant formula and plastic feeding containers. Researchers note that infants are particularly vulnerable because their metabolic systems are still developing and less capable of processing foreign particles. The findings highlight the need for more research into the specific risks microplastic exposure poses to infant health.
An Overview of the Possible Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
This review summarizes the ways infants can be exposed to microplastics, including through the placenta before birth, breast milk, infant formula, plastic feeding bottles, and toys. Infants may face higher risks because their bodies are still developing and are less able to process and remove these particles. The authors call for more research and greater attention to reducing microplastic exposure in products designed for babies.
Detection of various microplastics in placentas, meconium, infant feces, breastmilk and infant formula: A pilot prospective study
In a pilot study of 18 mother-infant pairs, researchers detected microplastics in placentas, meconium (first stool), infant feces, breast milk, and infant formula. The finding of microplastics in breast milk and formula means that infants are exposed to microplastics from their earliest feedings, both natural and artificial. This study reveals that microplastic exposure begins before birth and continues through infancy, a critical period of development.
Release of microplastics from breastmilk storage bags and assessment of intake by infants: A preliminary study
Researchers tested six commercially available breastmilk storage bags and found they released large numbers of microplastic and submicron particles during simulated normal use. The particles were identified as plastics using spectroscopy analysis, raising questions about infant exposure through stored breastmilk. The study suggests that single-use plastic baby food packaging may be an overlooked source of microplastic ingestion for infants.
Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting byproducts (bisphenol A & phthalate esters) in popular infant formula brands in Iran; qualification, quantification and risk assessment
Researchers measured microplastics, bisphenol A, and phthalate esters in commercially available infant formula brands sold in Iran. MPs were detected in all sampled products, along with BPA and phthalates at concentrations raising concern given the vulnerability of infants and their near-total reliance on formula.
Human Milk, Microplastics and Children's Health: An Equation to Be Solved
This review examined microplastic contamination in human breast milk, summarizing evidence of widespread MP detection and discussing the potential health consequences for infants whose primary food source in the first two years of life may contain plastic particles.
Maternal and early life exposures and their potential to influence development of the microbiome
This review explores how maternal and early-life environmental exposures, including to emerging contaminants, can influence the development of the infant microbiome. Researchers found that factors such as nutrition, chemical exposures, and living conditions during pregnancy and early childhood shape the microbial communities that are critical for immune and metabolic development. The study highlights the importance of understanding how environmental pollutants may disrupt healthy microbiome establishment in vulnerable populations.
Nanoplastic Contamination Across Common Beverages and Infant Food: An Assessment of Packaging Influence
Researchers quantified nanoplastic contamination across diverse commercial beverages and infant foods—including juices, milk, and purees—using pyrolysis-GC-MS, with particular attention to packaging material contributions. Nanoplastics were detected in all tested products, with packaging source strongly influencing contamination levels, and infant food products showed concerning nanoplastic burdens given young children's heightened vulnerability.
Isolation and identification of microplastics in infant formulas – A potential health risk for children
Researchers tested 30 infant formula products and found microplastics in every single one, with polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET being the most common types. They estimated that formula-fed babies consume about 49 microplastic particles per day through their formula alone. This is concerning because infants are especially vulnerable to potential health effects from microplastics during critical stages of development.
Microplásticos presentes no leite ofertado na primeira infância
This review examines the presence of microplastics in milk consumed during early childhood, focusing on identifying contamination sources and assessing concentration levels. Researchers analyzed existing studies on global microplastic monitoring in milk products and the analytical methods used to detect these particles. The study discusses potential health risks associated with infant exposure to microplastics through milk and suggests sustainable alternatives to reduce contamination.
Impact of Environmental Exposure on Infant Sleep : The Exposome Approach
This review synthesizes evidence on how environmental chemical exposures affect infant sleep outcomes, with a focus on the first 1,000 days of life. Researchers examined how infants may be exposed to pollutants including microplastics before birth through the placenta or after birth through diet and the environment. The study highlights the need for more research into how these early-life environmental exposures may disrupt sleep, which is critical for infant development.
Microplastics in dairy products and human breast milk: Contamination status and greenness analysis of available analytical methods
Researchers reviewed the contamination of dairy products and human breast milk with microplastics, finding concentrations as high as 2,590 microplastic particles per liter, while also noting that most current detection methods are not environmentally safe or standardized. The findings call for stricter food safety regulations and greener analytical tools to track microplastic contamination in foods consumed from infancy.
Microplastics in infant milk powder
Researchers found microplastics in 13 brands of infant milk powder, with boxed products containing nearly twice as many particles as canned versions, likely from plastic-lined packaging. However, the biggest source of microplastic exposure for bottle-fed infants was not the powder itself but the plastic feeding bottles, which released nearly seven times more microplastics. This study highlights that the containers used to prepare and serve infant formula are a more significant source of microplastic exposure for babies than the formula itself.
Contaminants of emerging concern in the fetal environment
This review examines how pregnant women are exposed to a broad spectrum of environmental contaminants including endocrine-disrupting compounds and emerging pollutants such as microplastics that can cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus. The review highlights that prenatal exposure to these contaminants can interfere with hormonally driven developmental processes and may predispose the fetus to disease later in life.